Blog Posts and Lists

Friday, August 8, 2008

Toot, Toot

We don't toot our own horns very often around here. Yes, here comes the but. BUT there are two special events, starting today and in November, that happen to be the subject of two extraordinarily good books by two of our writers.

Today, 08-08-08, good fortune brings us the start of the Summer Olympics. Sue Macy has a totally engrossing book, newly rereleased, called SWIFTER, HIGHER, STRONGER. A PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE SUMMER OLYMPICS. National Geographic knows how to produce nonfiction at its best, interweaving photos and text in just the right combination. Sue tells some wonderful history of the Olympics, including some controversies and heroes we might have never known.

As Levar Burton would say, you don't have to take my word for it. Here's what SLJ had to say:read great review

11.04.08 is rapidly approaching and before it does you'll want to get the children in your life a copy of Susan E. Goodman's new book SEE HOW THEY RUN. Your kids will finally understand how the election process works and then they can explain it to you. Susan does manage to do the seemingly impossible and explain the electoral college process and even hanging chads.

I.N.K.: Interesting Nonfiction for Kids

Here we will meet the writers whose words are presenting nonfiction in a whole new way. Discover books that show how nonfiction writers are some of the best storytellers around. Learn how these writers practice their craft: research techniques, fact gathering and detective work. Check out how they find unusual tidbits, make the facts interesting and write something kids will love to read. Explore how photos and illustrations are integrated with the text to explain an artist's vision of the world. Consider what subjects are flooding the market and what still needs a voice. Rethink nonfiction for kids.